Weightlifting apparatus

ABSTRACT

A weightlifting apparatus that includes a frame having at least one pair of spaced-apart handles thereon and an elongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end coupled to the frame intermediate each of the at least one pair of spaced-apart handles. The shaft may be circular in cross-section and sized to receive a standard weight plate thereon. The weightlifting apparatus enables a weightlifter to enjoy additional benefits from standard weight plates that are normally used with barbells and to perform additional exercises with the hands in positions that cannot be achieved using barbells so as to exercise different muscle groups.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a weightlifting apparatus that canreceive and secure one or more weight plates and that includes handlesto enable the user to lift and manipulate the one or more weight platessecured thereto.

Background of the Related Art

Weight plates are very common devices used by weightlifters. Weightplates are generally used with barbells that are elongated rods having ashaft on each end for receiving and securing weight plates to thebarbell. The weight plates each include a centrally located hole at thecenter of the weight plate sized for being received onto the shaft atthe end of the barbell. A collar, such as a spring coil collar or acollar with a threaded bolt, can be secured onto the shaft intermediatethe weight plates and the end of the barbell shaft to secure the weightplates onto the shaft. The barbell, with the weight plates securedthereto, can then be used in weightlifting exercises such as benchpress, overhead press, lying triceps extensions, squats, etc.

Many weightlifters also purchase dumbbells for different types ofexercises including curls, triceps extensions, etc. These dumbbellscause the weightlifter to incur additional costs.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the weightlifting apparatus of the present inventionenable a user to make additional use and to obtain additional benefitfrom weight plates used with barbells. Embodiments of the weightliftingapparatus of the present invention are securable to standard weightplates and include spaced-apart handles that can be gripped by theuser's hands to provide with user with a balanced grip, with the handsin, for example, a vertical rather than a horizontal position, formanipulating and lifting the weight plates and the apparatus.Optionally, the handles may be in a neutral position that is between avertical orientation and a horizontal orientation, or in any otherposition. In one embodiment of the apparatus, the handles may beadjustable between two or more orientations or positions.

One embodiment of an apparatus of the present invention includes a framehaving at least one pair of spaced-apart handles thereon, and anelongate shaft having a distal end and a proximal end coupled to theframe at a location intermediate each of the at least one pair ofspaced-apart handles, the shaft for receiving thereon one or more weightplates, wherein a weightlifter can then grip the at least one pair ofspaced-apart handles with one or more weight plates received onto theelongate shaft therebetween and the weightlifter can then performexercises by gripping the at least one pair of spaced-apart handles andmanipulating the combined weight of the apparatus and the weight platesreceived on the shaft of the apparatus.

In one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the atleast one pair of spaced-apart handles comprises two pairs ofspaced-apart handles coupled to the frame, thereby offering theweightlifter a choice of the distance by which the hands are separated.For example, but not by way of limitation, a first pair of spaced-aparthandles may be spaced further apart one from the other than a secondpair of spaced apart handles disposed therebetween, and the proximal endof the elongate shaft is coupled to the frame at a location intermediateeach of the first pair of spaced-apart handles and intermediate each ofthe second pair of spaced-apart handles. Optionally, in one embodimentof the apparatus of the present invention, a third pair of spaced-aparthandles could be added, but two pairs of spaced-apart handles, eachhaving a separation distance that is comfortable and useful to theaverage human, should suffice for most applications.

In one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, theelongate shaft is orthogonal to a plane in which each of the first pairof spaced-apart handles and each of the second pair of spaced-aparthandles lies. In one embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention, the frame includes a rectangular periphery so as to lie in astable position when left on a floor or when hung on a wall using, forexample, a pair of spaced-apart hooks.

Optionally, each of the at least one pair of spaced-apart handles iscoupled to a top portion of the frame at a first end and each of the atleast one pair of spaced-apart handles is coupled to a bottom portion ofthe frame at a second end. This configuration of the apparatus providesfor stability and durability. Similarly, in one embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention, the elongate shaft is coupled at itsproximal end to the frame by a welded connection.

Weight plates that are commercially available to weightlifters generallyinclude a hole penetrating the center of the plate so as to be alignedwith the center of mass of the plate. The hole is generally circular inshape. As a result, a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention includes an elongate shaft having a circularcross-section sized to receive standard weight plates thereon. A varietyof securing collars such as collars that are securable on a shaft usinga set screw and collars that are securable on a shaft using elasticallyexpandable coils can be used to secure weight plates on the shaft toprevent them from inadvertently sliding off of the shaft during use.

Embodiments of the apparatus may be of a material that can be coatedusing paint or other materials for preventing corrosion and foraesthetic appearance. In one embodiment of the apparatus of the presentinvention, the at one pair of spaced-apart handles can be coated orfitted with at least one pair of sleeves sized to be received onto thehandles and having favorable grip performance to enable the weightlifter to maintain a secure grip on the apparatus. Alternately, anembodiment of the apparatus of the present invention may include atleast one pair of spaced-apart handles that are knurled to provide afavorable gripping surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a frontal elevation view of an embodiment of the apparatus ofthe present invention.

FIG. 2 is side elevation view of the embodiment of the apparatus of FIG.1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a frontal elevation view of an embodiment of the apparatus 10of the present invention. The embodiment of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 1comprises a frame 12 having a first end 14, a second end 16, a top side18 and a bottom side 20. The frame 12 of the apparatus 10 furtherincludes a first pair of spaced-apart handles 30 and 32, and a secondpair of spaced apart handles 34 and 36. The apparatus 10 furtherincludes a shaft 50 coupled at a connection 60 to the frame 12intermediate the first pair of spaced-apart handles 30 and 32 andintermediate the second pair of spaced-apart handles 34 and 36. Thefirst pair of spaced-apart handles 30 and 32 and intermediate the secondpair of spaced-apart handles 34 and 36. The rightmost handle 30 of thefirst pair of spaced-apart handles 30 and 32 is coupled to the frame atan upper end 30A and a lower end 30B. The leftmost handle 32 of thefirst pair of spaced-apart handles 30 and 32 is coupled to the frame atan upper end 32A and a lower end 32B. The rightmost handle 34 of thesecond pair of spaced-apart handles 34 and 36 is coupled to the frame atan upper end 34A and a lower end 34B. The leftmost handle 36 of thesecond pair of spaced-apart handles 34 and 36 is coupled to the frame atan upper end 36A and a lower end 36B.

The apparatus 10 of FIG. 1 is adapted for use by a weightlifter usinghands to grip either the first pair of spaced-apart handles 30 and 32 orthe second pair of spaced-apart handles 34 and 36. For example, aweightlifter gripping the first pair of spaced-apart handles 30 and 32may insert a right thumb in the open space 35 and a left thumb in theopen space 37, and surround the rightmost handle 30 with the fourfingers of the right hand and surround the leftmost handle 32 with thefour fingers of the left hand. Similarly, a weightlifter gripping thesecond pair of spaced-apart handles 34 and 36 may insert a right thumbin the open space 41 and the four fingers of the right hand in the openspace 35, and a left thumb in the open space 39 and the four fingers ofthe left hand in the open space 37, and then surround the handle 34 withthe four fingers of the right hand and surround the handle 36 with thefour fingers of the left hand.

FIG. 1 illustrates the shaft 50 protruding towards the viewer from theconnection 62 (not shown in FIG. 1—see FIG. 2). The shaft 50 of theapparatus of FIG. 1 is circular in cross-section and sized to receiveone or more weight plates thereon, along with a collar to secure theweight plates on the shaft. The shaft 50 may, in some embodiments of theapparatus 10 of the present invention, include a radially enlargedshoulder 60 to engage the first-received weight plate (not shown) andthereby limit the range of movement of the weight plates received ontothe shaft 50.

FIG. 2 is side elevation view of the embodiment of the apparatus 10 ofFIG. 1. The shaft 50 of the apparatus 10 is coupled to the frame 12 at aproximal end 54. The shaft 50 of the apparatus 10 of FIG. 2 is connectedto the frame 12 at a location that is equidistant from the top side 18and the bottom side 20. FIG. 2 illustrates the orthogonal relationshipof the shaft 50 to a plane of the frame 12 of the embodiment of theapparatus 10 of FIG. 2. FIG. 2 further illustrates the position of theshoulder 60 that limits the range of movement of the weight plates (notshown) received on the shaft 50. The shaft 50 has a length 56 from theshoulder 60 to a distal end 52 of the shaft 50. The connection 62 atwhich the shaft 50 is coupled to the frame 12 may, in some embodiments,be welded.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the embodiment of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and2 showing the round cross-section of the handles 30, 32, 34 and 36. FIG.3 reveals that the shaft 50 is orthogonal to the plane of the frame 12to which it is connected at its proximal end 54. FIG. 3 furtherillustrates the shaft 50 being equidistant from each of the first pairof spaced-apart handles 30 and 32, and equidistant from each of thesecond pair of handles 34 and 36, for proper balance during use.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. Asused herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components and/or groups, but do not preclude the presence or additionof one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof. The terms “preferably,” “preferred,”“prefer,” “optionally,” “may,” and similar terms are used to indicatethat an item, condition or step being referred to is an optional (notrequired) feature of the invention.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intendedto include any structure, material, or act for performing the functionin combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present invention has been presented for purposes ofillustration and description, but it is not intended to be exhaustive orlimited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications andvariations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Theembodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and the practical application, and to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention forvarious embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus, comprising: a frame having at leastone pair of spaced-apart handles thereon; an elongate shaft having adistal end and a proximal end coupled to the frame at a locationintermediate each of the at least one pair of spaced-apart handles, theshaft for receiving thereon one or more weight plates; wherein aweightlifter can grip the at least one pair of spaced-apart handles withone or more weight plates received onto the elongate shaft and exercisewith
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one pair ofspaced-apart handles comprises two pairs of spaced-apart handles;wherein a first pair of spaced-apart handles are spaced further apartone from the other than a second pair of spaced apart handles disposedtherebetween; and wherein proximal end of the elongate shaft is coupledto the frame at a location intermediate each of the first pair ofspaced-apart handles and intermediate each of the second pair ofspaced-apart handles.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the elongateshaft is orthogonal to a plane in which each of the first pair ofspaced-apart handles and each of the second pair of spaced-apart handleslies.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frame includes arectangular periphery.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of theat least one pair of spaced-apart handles is coupled to a top portion ofthe frame at a first end; and each of the at least one pair ofspaced-apart handles is coupled to a bottom portion of the frame at asecond end.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate shaft iscoupled at its proximal end to the frame by a welded connection.
 7. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate shaft includes a circularcross-section sized to receive standard weight plates.